Steelers all-pro OLB James Harrison is leveling more nasty hits ... only this time they're the figurative kind, and he's teeing off on opponents while mixing in some not-so-friendly fire on Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger.
By Charles LeClaire, US Presswire
Harrison started by again ripping NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, his nemesis, in next month's issue of Men's Journal.
"My rep is James Harrison, mean son of a (gun)who loves hitting the hell out of people," he says. "But up until last year, there was no word of me being dirty -- till Roger Goodell, who's a crook and a puppet, said I was the dirtiest player in the league. I hate him and will never respect him."
Goodell -- whom Harrison also deemed "stupid," a "dictator" and a "devil," while also firing an anti-gay slur at him -- levied fines totaling six figures against Harrison last season while making him the poster boy for helmet-to-helmet hits the NFL wants to eliminate. Harrison felt singled out by the commissioner and threatened to retire after being told the brand of football he'd always played would no longer be tolerated.
The 2008 defensive player of the year pays little regard to the concussions his heat-seeking hits can cause, even when he's the victim.
"I get dinged about three times a year and don't know where I am for a little minute. But unless I'm asleep, you're not getting me out of the game, and most guys feel the same way," says Harrison. "If a guy has a choice of hitting me high or low, hit me in the head and I'll pay your fine. Just don't hit me in the knee, 'cause that's life-threatening. How'm I going to feed my family if I can't run?"
He says shorter offseasons and perhaps the return to a 14-game regular season are the best ways to preserve players' brains, saying if "we're not bangin' heads so much in August; that's where the brain trauma comes from."
Harrison's tongue also lashed the following:
- Roethlisberger, who threw two INTs in Super Bowl XLV when Pittsburgh fell to Green Bay: "Hey, at least throw a pick on their side of the field instead of asking the D to bail you out again. Or hand the ball off and stop trying to act like Peyton Manning. You ain't that and you know it, man; you just get paid like he does."
- The three-time champion Patriots, who beat the Steelers in the 2004 AFC Championship Game: "I should have another ring. We were the best team in football in 2004, but the Patriots, who we beat during the regular season, stole our signals and picked up 90% of our blitzes (in the AFC title game). They got busted for it later, but, hey, they're Goodell's boys, so he slapped 'em $500,000 and burned the tapes. Was he going to rescind their Super Bowls? Man, hell no!"
- Former Patriots Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi, who are now NFL TV commentators were deemed "clowns" by Harrison.
- Texans LB Brian Cushing: He's "juiced out of his mind." (Cushing, the 2009 defensive rookie of the year, was suspended to start the 2010 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, a ban he unsuccessfully fought.)
However Harrison did throw one very full bouquet to another teammate, current defensive player of the year Troy Polamalu.
"He's the one guy in football I respect absolutely, 'cause he's spiritual and lives it like he talks it," Harrison said of the star safety.
"You know, he gets more flags than anyone on our team but never gets fined for nothin'. He's so polite and talks so softly that he could tell he could tell Goodell to kiss his (butt), and Goodell would smile and say thank you."
Steelers president Art Rooney II released a statement saying: "I have not yet seen the article in Men's Journal nor have I spoken to James Harrison about his comments. We will discuss the situation at the appropriate time, when permitted once the labor situation is resolved."
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